5 Great Austin Dog Walks and Hikes

11 Jan 5 Great Austin Dog Walks and Hikes

While there are several spots in the area that we enjoy taking our dogs, here is a list of 5 of our favorite spots in and around Austin to take your dog hiking and walking.

Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail is a very popular trail for bikers, runner, and dog owners. The trail system covers more then 10 miles and mostly lies on the banks of Lady Bird Lake. This too is an on-leash trail and you can expect to wander right next to the downtown areas, as well as quiet secluded areas of the city.

Brushy Creek Trail is right at the tip of North Austin, Round Rock, and Cedar Park. You can expect to enjoy 6+ miles of hike and bike trails with views of a reservoir and even a golf course in certain places. This is an on-leash trail and there are poop bag dispensers and trash cans throughout the trail.

Walnut Creek has several trails (totaling 12+ miles) that wind and weave around the shallow creek in several spots (giving your dog a great place to cool off). The main trails are wide enough to walk shoulder to shoulder with a few people, but some of the other paths that branch off can be a bit narrow. Walnut Creek is an off-leash hiking trail, but keep an eye on your dogs and keep them out of the way of the mountain bikers and trail runners.

Lake Pflugerville Park includes an on-leash 3 mile trail that is great for walking, jogging, and biking. The circular trail surrounds a 180 acre reservoir and has a boat launch, beach area, and rest rooms. Rules state that dogs must be on-leash, but it’s not uncommon to see some well-behaved dogs taking a quick dip in a secluded spot on the reservoir.

Turkey Creek is part of the Emma Long Park system and is a fantastic hiking trail that also crosses a small stream in several places. This is an off-leash trail and is about 3.5 miles long, taking you into the heart of the wooded Hill Country. The Turkey Creek trails can be a bit narrow in certain places but it’s still an easy to moderate hike, the dogs love it here!

*BONUS* The Goodwater Trail at Lake Georgetown consists of over 25 miles of trails. The trail system is zoned for on-leash dogs, but it’s not uncommon to see well-behaved dogs running the trails as well. The trail runs around the shoreline of the lake and has trailheads at all five parks.

What about you, what are some of your favorite hiking and walking trails that your dog enjoys?

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